To qualify for V.Q.A. certification the grape the residual sugar and alcohol in finished ice wine must be the result of the natural sugars acquired while the on the vine and must be from juice reaching a level of sweetness of 35 brix. The air temperature must be a minimum of minus 8 C while the harvesting and pressing of the grapes are done continuously at these temperatures. The grapes must have been grown in a viticulturtal area and must be produced as a varietal from approved fruit (grapes). An agent appointed by the V.Q.A. must oversee the production and will force a stoppage of production if the temperature gets above -8C.
The output requires a trained labour force to hand pick the grapes and the pressing yield is only about one seventh the normal production of juice. The result is an extreme concentration of flavours and bouquet which is intensely sweet
The output requires a trained labour force to hand pick the grapes and the pressing yield is only about one seventh the normal production of juice. The result is an extreme concentration of flavours and bouquet which is intensely sweet